Which team will have the biggest turnaround in 2014?

Which team will have the biggest turnaround in 2014?

Jacksonville Jaguars

25.8%

Cleveland Browns

51.3%

Oakland Raiders

22.8%

Total votes: 267

That may not necessarily mean taking a quarterback. Although the pick is one of dire need for the Jaguars to ascend to the NFL's elite, it's also important not to force the issue at the top of the draft.

An impact player such as South Carolina defensive end JadeveonClowney could still be on the board. Clowney, at 6'6" and 274 pounds, would all but guarantee help for what has been a lackluster pass rush, finishing last in the league the past two seasons in sacks.

Defensive-minded head coach Gus Bradley could mold Clowney into an absolute beast in his game plans, giving Jacksonville a shot at turning things around in a murky AFC South division.

It's also important to hold running back Maurice Jones-Drew's interest as he approaches free agency. General manager David Caldwell isn't stopping his big star from exploring other options:

Caldwell says he does not envision Jaguars signing Maurice Jones-Drew before free agency. Will let him hit the market first. #Jaguars

There's the home-state angle in selecting UCF QB Blake Bortles, the excitement factor with Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel and the possibility of Teddy Bridgewater from Louisville as well.

But the Jags must make certain they're sure on a franchise signal-caller to pull the trigger on a potential one this early. Otherwise, Clowney is the wise choice here—assuming the Houston Texans don't take him in the top spot to pair with J.J. Watt.

Cleveland Browns (Nos. 4 and 26 overall)

Mark Duncan/Associated Press

CEO Joe Banner and general manager Mike Lombardi, in conjunction with owner Jimmy Haslam, decided to fire their first coaching hire in Rob Chudzinski after one 4-12 season.

That proves this brain trust isn't waiting around for a long-term rebuilding plan and is demanding immediate results. The problem is, Cleveland is the only team without a head coach at the moment. As the search wears on, it will be important to find someone precisely on the same page with the front office.

Continuity is important in stable, consistently winning franchises, yet it's something the Browns have repeatedly avoided since reentering the league in 1999.

Ex-Browns player Scott Fujita expressed sympathy for the ever-devoted fans going through the constant flux without any progress:

If a quarterback is indeed the pick at No. 4 and he starts right away, it will mark the 20th different player to start under center for the Browns since their rebirth. That's downright pathetic.

With Brian Hoyer still recovering from a torn ACL, pressure will be on to take a QB—and the right one. It may require a trade-up and possible moving of the second first-rounder acquired in the Trent Richardson trade.

Should the Browns see their future face of the franchise on the board and think he'll be gone, they must do everything possible to get a deal done, move up and make the bold choice.

The Browns are reportedly high on Manziel, something NFL.com's Ian Rapoport confirmed on Jan. 13:

Manziel would bring the buzz and passion the Dawg Pound has desperately been awaiting. If the team can land him, an additional wide receiver and a running back in Round 2, Cleveland's offense would suddenly be formidable and dynamic.

Even before this critical draft, though, Banner, Lombardi and Haslam have to get the coach right.

Oakland Raiders (No. 5 overall)

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Head coach Dennis Allen and GM Reggie McKenzie play in an AFC West division in which every team but the Raiders went to the playoffs in 2013. That helps explain a second straight 4-12 campaign, yet McKenzie remains optimistic, per the team's official Twitter account:

"We’re excited about the opportunities that are coming for us in 2014 from adding players to help bolster this roster." - GM Reggie McKenzie

A good place to start is either the offensive line—which was decimated, did a poor job in pass protecting and was inconsistent in run blocking—or the defense, a unit that was gashed for 255.8 yards per game through the air.

Depending on what the St. Louis Rams do at No. 2 overall, Texas A&M tackle Jake Matthews or Auburn's Greg Robinson should both be on the board. Either option would provide a cornerstone bookend on the offensive line for years to come.

If defense is the call, UCLA's Anthony Barr is a wise selection. The dynamic outside linebacker has great speed and agility as a former running back. He can pressure the quarterback off the edge and make plays anywhere on the field, making him a great fit no matter where Oakland lines him up.

McKenzie must nail this one, though. Otherwise, both he and Allen will probably be searching for new jobs next offseason.